Controlled chaos: Inside Israel's air traffic during unprecedented US-Israel strikes - interview

The Israeli Air Force's air traffic control centers experienced an exceptionally complex and perilous operational day during the joint US-Israel strikes against Iran, according to details revealed to Walla. The controllers faced immense pressure synchronizing an unprecedented level of cooperation between the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and the US military's aerial strike capabilities.

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Imagine hundreds of aircraft returning from a strike to land all across Israel: Fighter jets, transport planes, airborne early warning aircraft, refuelers, helicopters, drones - some belonging to a partner military (the US), which required coordination in English... Meanwhile, scores of other aircraft were taking off from Israel for a second wave of strikes in Iran while maintaining readiness across other fronts.

On that historic day, hundreds of aircraft from deep within Iran began returning simultaneously, transforming Israel's airspace into a high-stakes traffic jam. This included fighter jets, transport planes, early warning aircraft, refuelers, helicopters, and drones, many belonging to the US military, requiring coordination in English. Simultaneously, other aircraft were launching for follow-up strikes on Iran, while maintaining readiness across other fronts.

Adding to the complexity, air defense batteries and naval forces were on high alert for incoming missiles and suicide drones from Iran and Lebanon. Interceptor aircraft were on standby, with seconds separating potential launches. The air traffic controllers had to synchronize this incredibly intricate operation with absolute perfection, a scenario they had trained for years to handle.

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On top of that, air defense batteries and naval forces protecting the country's skies were on high alert for missiles and drones already en route from Iran to Israel... Interceptors were seconds away from launching... And this incredibly complex operation had to be synchronized with absolute perfection by the air controllers, who had trained for this exact moment for years.

A senior IAF officer described the situation as "the most crowded airspace ever," emphasizing the immense challenge of managing communications in two languages simultaneously, especially when the US increased its aircraft presence. The controllers' role was critical in ensuring the safety of all flights, managing split-second decisions, and maintaining the integrity of the aerial machine during this intense period of conflict.

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When the Americans increased the number of their aircraft operating in Israel, the challenge grew immensely. It was extremely congested, and we had to run communications in two languages simultaneously.